Easy Mary Berry Tuna Pasta Bake

Why You’ll Like It

• Mary Berry’s Hobie’s version is simpler and includes hard-boiled eggs.
• It’s a go-to recipe when you’re unsure what to cook. as you can find all the ingredients in your pantry.  A perfect quick midweek cosy dinner.
• This dish is also a meal prep fave! Cook 6 portions, and if you use 2 portions for dinner, that means you’ll have 4 extra servings for when they crave pasta! I love that it’s packed with protein and not just plain pasta.

For The Perfect Hobie’s Tuna Pasta Bake

• Cook the pasta al dente: Slightly undercook the pasta as it will continue cooking in the oven.
• Gradually add the milk when making the béchamel sauce to avoid lumps. Mary Berry might forgive me for this, but like Italians, I love my béchamel with a dash of nutmeg.
• Experiment with different versions of Mary’s Tuna Pasta Bake: The eggs and slightly less cheese make this version stand out from others. Feel free to omit the eggs and double the cheese if you prefer. You can also add an onion or swap the sweetcorn for peas. One of Mary Berry’s other Tuna Bake recipes even adds a dash of Dijon mustard!
• Reserve some grated cheddar for the topping to achieve that beautiful golden crust.
• Don’t skip the salt and pepper – a dash of both makes all the difference!

What You Need

• Pasta shapes pasta: Rigatoni, penne, ziti or any other short pasta shape can be used as a substitute. I simply love rigatoni pasta.
• Butter: Margarine or any plant-based butter substitute can replace butter with a dairy-free option.
• Flour: Wholemeal or even gluten-free all-purpose flour can be used instead of plain flour to cater for different diet needs.
• Milk: Dairy-free milk alternatives such as almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk can be used instead of whole milk.
• Cheddar cheese: Any strong cheese like aged Gouda, sharp white cheddar, or Parmesan can be used as a substitute for cheddar cheese. But I can assure you that there’s nothing better than Cheddar cheese for this British pasta bake!
• Salt: Seasoning salt, garlic salt, or any other flavoured salt can be used instead of regular salt to add a different dimension of flavour.
• Pepper: White pepper or red pepper flakes can be used as substitutes for black pepper, depending on personal preference.
• Tuna: Canned salmon or cooked chicken can be used as alternatives to tuna for a different protein option.
• Sweetcorn: For a fresher taste, fresh or frozen corn kernels can be used instead of canned sweetcorn. Peas or any other frozen or fresh green vegetable, such as green beans or spinach, can also be substituted for peas.
• Parsley: Fresh basil, cilantro, or dill can be used instead of parsley.

VARIATIONS

• Cheesier? – Double the cheddar cheese! You can also remove the eggs. 
• More veggies? Add the same amount of peas as corn and add onion. You can also add fennel as one of Mary’s berry best tuna bake’s versions
• Smokier? Add a touch of Dijon Mustard copying another tuna pasta bake version from Mary Berry.
• Not for kids? Garnish with some parsley
• Make it gluten-free. Use gluten-free flour and pasta, and make it gluten-free.

Saving the Tuna Pasta Bake For Later

If you find yourself with leftovers of this delightful Mary Berry Tuna Pasta Bake (which is quite likely because it’s so delicious), here’s how to store and reheat it:

• Prepare Ahead: This dish can be made up to a day in advance. Simply assemble everything, cover, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, bake at 180°C fan for about 20 minutes until hot all the way through.
• Freezing Instructions: 
  • This can be frozen for up to 1 month, but omit the eggs, as they can become rubbery when frozen.
  • Do not add the cheese topping before freezing. Instead, add it after defrosting just before baking.
• Reheating: To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge, add the cheese, and bake at 180°C fan for 20 minutes until thoroughly heated.

How to Serve Mary Berry Tuna Pasta Bake

This Mary Berry Tuna Pasta Bake is a complete meal on its own, but you can enhance the experience by:

• serving it with a simple green salad or garlic bread.
• serving small portions so that you have extra for leftovers – it’s just as delicious the next day!
• rounding off the meal with a refreshing dessert like  Mary Berry’s Raspberry Parfait, which can be prepared within minutes. Otherwise, serving with a warm Apple Crumble with a crunchy topping and fruity filling. If you have time, accompany it with custard or lemon curd.

Health Info